Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre at a press conference after he brawled with an oppostion player during a Gold Cup match. Photograph: Jam Media/LatinContent Editorial

The Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has been suspended for three matches by Concacaf for starting a brawl during a Gold Cup match against Panama. The Mexican Football Federation was also fined $25,000 (£15,415) for what the Concacaf disciplinary committee considered "serious irresponsible behaviour" by the national coaching staff during Thursday's game in Houston.

Aguirre's suspension starts today with Mexico's last group game against Guadeloupe. He is eligible to return for the Gold Cup final on 26 July if Mexico qualify. If his team are eliminated before the semi-finals, any remaining games would be served in World Cup qualifying. Mexico's next qualifier is at home against the United States on 12 August.

Aguirre left his bench in the 80th minute to stop a loose ball that Panama midfielder Ricardo Phillips played over the line. But Aguirre made contact with Phillips instead of the ball, and the player fell over, stood back up and shoved the coach. That drew Mexico's staff to shove Phillips, and the fight provoked the crowd into throwing debris on the field. The match was delayed for 12 minutes. Aguirre and Phillips were sent off, and the coach apologised for his actions on Friday.

Concacaf determined Aguirre was not trying to injure Phillips but he instigated the incident. "The committee acknowledged that Mr Aguirre is well known to them as a responsible person and it was their belief that this was an aberration rather than any aspect of his normal behaviour," the Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer wrote. The committee noted the "exemplary behaviour" of the Mexico goalkeeper Memo Ochoa in trying to pacify fans and help lead Phillips safely from the field.